Air-Fryer Steak Milanesa: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Steak Milanesa is a popular dish in Mexico and Latin America, similar to German schnitzel. It is a thin, breaded steak that is first tenderized and then coated with flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings before being fried until golden brown. You can make this delicious dish in an air fryer with a few simple tweaks. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making juicy and tender Steak Milanesa in an air fryer.

Tenderise the steak

Tougher cuts of steak with a lot of connective tissue benefit from tenderising to help break down the fibres and make the meat easier to cook, cut and eat.

Using a meat mallet

Place the meat between pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and pound it with a meat mallet prior to cooking. If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a heavy kitchen tool such as a skillet, saucepan or rolling pin. The spiky side of the mallet cuts up the connective tissue and muscle fibres, while the flat side helps to create a uniform thickness so the steak cooks more evenly. This method is ideal if you want to make the meat thin as well as tender.

Marinating

Make a marinade with acidic components such as citrus juice, buttermilk, yoghurt, wine, vinegar or soda to help break down the tough connective tissue and muscle fibres. Add one of these acidic components to a marinade (which should also include oil and seasoning) and use on thin, tough cuts of steak. Marinate in the fridge for up to 12 hours.

Salting

Salt your steak up to an hour in advance of cooking. Liberally salt the steaks and leave for up to an hour before cooking. Salt helps break down proteins and make the meat more tender.

Baking soda

Sprinkle the steak with baking soda and let it sit overnight in a large, plastic, zip-top bag. Rinse the steak to remove the baking soda, then season as desired.

Scoring

Cut a grid into the surface of the steak, about a quarter of the way through. This cuts the fibres in intersection lines all over the steak.

Meat tenderising powder

Sprinkle meat tenderising powder over the surface of the steak and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.

Season the steak

Seasoning the steak is a crucial step in the process of making steak milanesa in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to season your steak effectively:

Before seasoning, it is important to tenderize the steak. Use a meat tenderizer mallet to flatten and soften the meat. You can also use a rolling pin or another heavy object if you don't have a meat mallet. Ensure that the steaks are of uniform thickness after pounding. This step not only makes the steak more tender but also ensures even cooking.

Now, it's time to season the steak. Place the steaks on a sheet pan or any clean, flat surface. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously on both sides of the steaks. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning for extra flavour. Massage the seasonings into the meat and ensure they are evenly distributed.

After seasoning, the next step is to prepare the breading station. In one bowl, combine breadcrumbs with any desired seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning. In another bowl, beat eggs with a pinch of salt, oregano, and garlic powder (optional). You can also add water to the egg mixture if desired.

The next step is to dredge the steaks in the flour, coating both sides evenly. This step helps the subsequent coatings adhere better to the meat. After flouring, dip the steaks into the egg mixture, ensuring that both sides are evenly coated. Finally, coat each steak with the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the breadcrumbs into the meat to ensure they stick.

Once the steaks are breaded, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 7-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until the steaks are golden brown and crispy.

Prepare the breading

The breading is a key part of making steak milanesa in an air fryer, as it gives the steak its signature crispy, golden texture. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the breading:

Firstly, set up your breading station using three flat, shallow bowls or pie plates. In the first bowl, you'll combine dry ingredients like breadcrumbs, seasonings, and sometimes cheese. You can use seasoned or plain breadcrumbs, and add spices like onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour. If you want a super crispy texture, you can use Panko breadcrumbs, which are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that give an extra crunchy texture.

In the second bowl, prepare an egg mixture by beating eggs with a small amount of water. You can also add a pinch of salt, oregano, and garlic powder to the egg mixture for extra flavour.

The third bowl will contain flour, which is essential for ensuring the other ingredients stick to the steak.

Now you're ready to start breading the steak! Start by dredging (dipping) the steak in the flour, making sure both sides are coated. Next, coat the floured steak with the egg mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated on both sides to avoid any bare spots in the final breading. Finally, dip the steak back into the breadcrumbs, pressing them onto the steak with your hands or a fork to ensure they really stick. You can also double-dip the steak in the flour and egg mixture before the final breadcrumb coating if you want an extra crispy texture.

Once the steak is fully breaded, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Fry the steaks

Now it's time to fry the steaks!

First, make sure your steaks are prepared. They should be thinly sliced and tenderized with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or another heavy object. You can use top round steaks, cubed steaks, or another cut of your choice, but ensure they are of uniform thickness.

Next, set up your breading station. You'll need three shallow bowls or pie plates. In the first bowl, combine breadcrumbs with any desired seasonings or spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavour. In the second bowl, beat eggs with a small amount of water. In the third bowl, place flour.

Now it's time to bread the steaks. Start by dredging each steak in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the floured steak in the egg mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated on both sides. Finally, coat the steak with the breadcrumb mixture, again on both sides. Gently press the breadcrumbs into the steak to help them stick.

If you like your steaks extra crispy, let the breaded steaks rest, uncovered, for about 30 minutes before frying.

To fry the steaks, add oil to a deep skillet or a deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. You want to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, or grapeseed oil. Make sure the oil is very hot before adding the steaks. You can test this by sprinkling a bit of flour into the oil—if it sizzles, it's ready. Fry the steaks for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. If your steaks are large, fry them one at a time. If they are smaller, you can fry two at a time, as long as they have enough room in the skillet and do not touch.

When the steaks are done frying, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Serve with your choice of sides

Steak Milanesa is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for sides to accompany your air-fried steak:

Rice

Rice is a popular choice to serve with Steak Milanesa. You can opt for white or brown rice, depending on your preference. For a Latin American twist, you could try Puerto Rican rice and beans or Dominican beans.

Potatoes

Fried potatoes or French fries are a common pairing with Steak Milanesa. If you're looking for something a little different, you could try mashed potatoes, potato wedges, or roasted small potatoes.

Vegetables and Salad

A fresh, crisp salad is a great way to balance out the heartiness of the steak. You can also serve roasted vegetables or specific sides like a pinto bean salad or a lemony kale salad.

Eggs

Adding a fried egg on top of your Steak Milanesa is a delicious option, especially if you're serving it for breakfast or brunch.

Fruits and Garnishes

Some people like to garnish their Steak Milanesa with lemon or lime slices. You could also serve it with marinated tomatoes or a mix of tomatoes and onions, known as "zarza" in Bolivia.

Other Sides

Other sides you could consider are flour tortillas, salsa, or avocado slices.

Remember, you can customise your Steak Milanesa and its sides to your liking, so feel free to experiment with different combinations!

Frequently asked questions